Directed by Stephen Sommers, Van Helsing disappointed many audience members but why? One can only assume the legion of disappointed viewers were expecting something closer to the original story of Dracula, except told from Van Helsing’s point of view, and that they expected the story to be serious and full of deadly action and vampire seduction. But… wasn’t it? Well, it was certainly overflowing with deadly and exciting action. And there was a moment of vampire seduction though, really, who could consider Richard Roxburgh (Dracula) to be seductive? Especially when his face elongates whenever he’s angry or is going to feed off of someone. Then he just looks nasty and monstrous. But the movie was serious… when it wasn’t making fun of itself.
That’s probably what really got to people - the fact that it was making fun of itself when they thought it was being serious. So they see these ridiculous things happening or they see over-the-top acting and they assume that the story is awful and that the acting is terrible. But then they’ve missed the whole point of the movie. There have been so many serious vampire movies that it’s gotten to be so cliché to make one full of danger and seduction and, well, seriousness. And that used to be scary and it used to be entertaining, but not anymore.
If Shuler Hensley (Frankenstein) tried to take himself seriously in his role, he would’ve been super boring. But since he didn’t the audience is allowed to make fun of Frankenstein and laugh instead of throwing rotten fruit and vegetables at the screen. Can people really say his operatic “Why?” that he almost sings out at the beginning of the movie is him accidentally overacting? It looks more as if he’s enjoying laying it on thick.
David Wenham (Carl) is probably the best part of the whole movie. He leaves audiences laughing with his naughty friar self. While tainted with comedic vanity and pride, he provides the voice of intelligence and naïve practicality. In a nutshell he can be described as a genius, inventor, bookworm without whom the world would suffer greatly from lack of entertainment.
Dracula and Frankenstein also weren’t the only famous monsters to give a bow here - there were also Dracula’s wives, werewolves, Mr. Hyde, and a score of nameless little monster minions of Dracula’s. The special effects, costuming, and makeup needed to make these monsters possible were amazingly done too.
If you’re looking for a good laugh, entertaining and fast-paced action, and a hint of romance then look no further. Monster movie fans will love this movie but only if they can learn to laugh at the clichés.
Van Helsing gets a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Comments